CITY Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr. and Elaine Sembrano have both filed legislative measures that seek to augment efforts by the local government in seeing to the welfare of the citizenry in the city.
In the first proposal Councilor Yangot is recommending for the appropriation of five million pesos sourced out of the coffers of the city or any available funds for the putting up and establishment of a government owned crematorium facility in the locality.
In his explanation for his proposal councilor Yangot pointed out that it is already quite difficult to properly bury departed loved ones considering the limited burial grounds in the city due to the already congested Baguio City Public Cemetery as well as other existing public cemeteries and thus forcing bereaved families to engage the services of private cemeteries. Yangot further pointed out that in Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, it provides that every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied from, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare. As such he added that pursuant to this mandate and within their respective territorial jurisdictions, local government units are duty bound to enact local ordinances, approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the locality and its inhabitants.
Councilor Yangot then justified his proposal citing that at present cremation is widely accepted and is considered as the most convenient, cost efficient and practical way of commemorating and preserving the remains of departed loved ones.
Along with the proposal to appropriate five million pesos for the said government crematorium facility the proposed ordinance likewise also tasks the City Buildings and Architectural Office (CBAO) to prepare the program of work, design and cost estimate for the said facility and submit the same to the City Council for its appropriate action.
Meanwhile, City councilor Elaine Sembrano also filed a proposed resolution urgently reminding the City Solid Waste Management Board (CSWMB), through the General Services Office (GSO) and the City Solid Waste/garbage hauler-contractor to ensure that the waste material being hauled out of the city is treated with anti-odor agents before they are transported to the waste management facility at Capas, Tarlac.
Councilor Sembrano cited reports that residents along the transport routes of the garbage truck haulers are irritated or annoyed of the noxious and abhorrent odor emanating from the waste being hauled out and that the said bad odor lingers even when the trucks carrying the said garbage have already transited the area or are already gone.
She further pointed out that it is imperative that the City’s garbage hauler/contractor has to be mindful in transporting the city’s waste considering that disease causing microorganisms can also be spread through the air other than physical contact. Thus her recommendation that the said garbage hauler/contractor, as well as the CSWMB and the GSO ensure that waste materials hauled out of the city are treated with anti-odor agents.